Shadow Prism

solar powered instrument, 2021

Shadow Prism is a solar-powered electronic instrument that transforms ambient light into evolving soundscapes. Designed to function in both indoor and outdoor environments, the instrument reacts to varying lighting conditions, from the gentle shade of a porch to the full sun exposure of an open field. As shadows shift and light changes, Shadow Prism generates unique warbles and drones, creating an ambient soundscape that reflects the dynamic interplay of brightness and space. The spherical geodesic design creates different harmonies depending on the position of the listener and can be activated with a flashlight and shadows. Each performance is a living, sonic response to the immediate surroundings.

Special thanks to InterMusicSF and Sl(e)ight Ensemble for commissioning a piece with this instrument for their California Ecology concert program, and to the Djerassi Resident Artist Program for the time and space to develop the prototype.

I created Shadow Prism to make audible the shifting lighting conditions of seasonal and environmental sun patterns. It’s a portable instrument and doesn’t require external power, so, left unattended, it can create ambient drones indefinitely. It’s also possible to perform with this instrument actively by covering the sensor nodes with fingertips or shadows or by shining artificial light on different facets of the prism. Because of the spherical design, the instrument produces different chords depending upon where the listener is positioned. The impact of this instrument is to create greater awareness of the weather, the sun, and the climate in general, by creating a musical accompaniment to the changing environmental conditions around us.